NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada explains how the upcoming rain could impact San Diego fire crews and areas the fire has burned.
What to know: Border 2 Fire
- Size: 6,625 acres, 88% contained
- Evacuation orders: SDC-2464-B, SDC-2543-A (Visit Genasys Protect for more information)
Update Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. For the latest, click here.
Despite several days of rain that aided firefighting efforts, thousands of fire crews were still working to fully contain a more than 6,000-acre brush fire in south San Diego Tuesday.
The Border 2 Fire was 88% contained by Tuesday evening and while roads were reopened and most residents were allowed to return home earlier in the week, two zones remained under evacuation orders, according to Cal Fire's latest briefing.
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The blaze — which erupted just west of Doghouse Junction in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area on Thursday afternoon — has blackened 6,625 acres over some 10 square miles of remote terrain a few miles north of the U.S.- Mexico border, Cal Fire reported Saturday.
At one point, 2,169 structures were threatened, but none were damaged or destroyed, according to Cal Fire. There have also been no injuries reported.
"Firefighters have made great progress slowing the spread of the fire," according to a statement from Cal Fire issued Saturday. "Dozers, hand crews, and engine companies are working on the ground to contain the fire, while helicopters are dropping water on hot spots on the interior of the fire perimeter."
The change in the weather has made it possible to lift most of the evacuation orders (brown shaded areas), but some are still in effect. The green areas are no longer under an evacuation warning. See below for the latest map or click here:
"Evacuated residents in the yellow and green areas can return home but are strongly encouraged to remain ready to leave if fire conditions change," the sheriff's department said in an email sent out around noon on Sunday. "If you need extra time to evacuate, you are advised to stay clear of the area."
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Some 2,200 personnel have been assigned to the fire, along with 157 engines and 17 helicopters, Cal Fire reported.
Visits to the George Bailey Detention Facility, Rock Mountain Detention Facility and East Mesa Reentry Facility resumed at 8 a.m. Sunday after being suspended by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
Otay Lakes Road reopened by Tuesday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said.
The temporary evacuation points closed Saturday.
Evacuation shelters and animal evacuation shelters for small animals were in place at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway El Cajon at Cuyamaca College and 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita for large animals.
Assisting in the effort were the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Land Management, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, Chula Vista Fire Department, Chula Vista Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, San Diego Fire Department, Red Cross, San Diego Gas and Electric, Cal OES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geologic Survey and Caltrans.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Original story:
The Border 2 Fire broke out on Otay Mountain near the Otay Mountain Truck Trail around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Cal Fire. It sent a large plume of smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles across San Diego County. As night fell, the flames cast an eerie glow across Otay Mountain.
As of 10:30 p.m. Friday, the fire has scorched 6,273 acres and is 10% surrounded.
#Border2Fire [update] The fire is now 6,273 acres and remains 10% contained. pic.twitter.com/UnKLnzCYop
— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) January 25, 2025
Shortly after the fire started, Cal Fire San Diego said in an X post that the blaze had already burned 20 acres and had a "dangerous rate of spread." However, firefighters later downgraded the rate of spread to moderate, meaning that their efforts were beginning to bear fruit.
Fixed-wing aircraft were seen making water drops on the fast-growing fire, including a very large air tanker assigned to fight the flames, according to Cal Fire. In the late afternoon, Cal Fire said 200 personnel had been assigned to the fight.
During the afternoon, the fire crested Otay and "impacted [a] communications tower at the top of the mountain," according to Cal Fire.
By nighttime, the fire had spread to around 600 acres with 0% containment before Cal Fire officials said crews witnessed "extreme fire behavior." The blaze then exploded to thousands of acres overnight.
Authorities issued evacuation orders, warnings and advisories for those nearby the fire. Multiple schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District and the Chula Vista Elementary School District canceled classes Friday due to safety and air quality concerns. Firefighting activity also prompted several road closures.
The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert for San Diego County, but the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District said the areas affected were Otay Mesa, El Cajon, Alpine, Pine Valley, Jamul and the surrounding areas.
***ACTIVE SMOKE ADVISORY UPDATE***
— San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (@sdapcd) January 25, 2025
INCIDENT: Border 2 Fire
AFFECTED AREA: Southwestern, Central and Eastern San Diego County
AFFECTED COMMUNITIES: El Cajon, Alpine, Pine Valley, Jamul and surrounding areas
For more information visit, https://t.co/a4Xyhs1V6j……#Border2Fire
The Border 2 Fire sparked while a red flag warning was still in effect for parts of San Diego County. Thursday's forecast was for the strongest winds of a week of Santa Ana's, which brought elevated concern for firefighters and residents.
It was just one in a series of blazes that erupted in San Diego County this week, including the Gilman Fire in La Jolla, the Lilac Fire in Bonsall, the Friars Fire in Mission Valley and the Center Fire in Rancho Bernardo.
Evacuation orders, warnings and advisors issued for Border 2 Fire
Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for areas to the fire's north, east and west — with some stretching into eastern Chula Vista.
The map above shows areas under evacuation orders in red and evacuation warnings in yellow. The blue indicates communities that are under an advisory.
An overnight shelter opened at Cuyamaca College's gymnasium on Friday for anyone affected by the Border 2 Fire, the American Red Cross Southern California Region said.
The shelter — located at 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92019 — offers evacuees a safe place to stay, meals and additional support, according to the nonprofit. Animal care partners are also there to help care for small animals.
Authorities urged residents to download the Genasys app to stay informed on evacuations.
Check back here for updates on this breaking news story — Ed.
